Dream homes

Sands Point, LI $12.5 million
It’s hard to argue with the claim that this “exquisite, palatial” estate represents the “epitome of luxury living.” After all, when you’ve got your own ballroom with 30-foot ceilings, you know your house is, well, “fit for royalty.” Like any good palace, this “glorious” 2-acre estate is “gated” and features the “finest European craftsmanship” employing only “unparalleled imported materials” — from the “opulent,” 46-foot-long marble staircase down to the “lounge-like” powder room of “one of a kind” onyx. Of course, there’s a “resort-like,” salt-water mosaic swimming pool and a “spectacular lower level.” And not to forget: five bedrooms and seven-plus bathrooms, too. Agent: Andrea Jablow, Shawn Elliot Luxury Homes, 516-524-7743

South Beach $6.195 million
No reason to go all the way to Italy — Miami will do just fine, especially when the designers and builders of this Murano at Portofino condo have already brought the best of Italy to South Beach. Indeed this “stunning” “showcase” of a home is more than just “Italian-inspired” — it is decked out in “custom Italian mosaic tile” and furnished by “furniture craftsmen” flown in from Europe. Besides, the space — 3,365 square feet, with three bedrooms, four bathrooms, a “generous living-entertainment area” and walls of stylish built-ins — makes for a perfectly nice Mediterranean retreat right on the Atlantic. Agent: Giorgio Vecchi, Zilbert International Realty, 305-726-0100